Video & Transcript : 'legislative' :
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Transportation Mar 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank so </font> <font color="aaaaaa">legislation to the books?
- So that's why we have </font> <font color="aaaaaa">the legislation. Thank you.
- So that's why we have </font> <font color="aaaaaa">the legislation. Thank you.
- Are there any </font> <font color="aaaaaa">the legislation. Thank you.
- Next, legislative </font> <font color="aaaaaa">issues for the next decade.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Senate in Special Session B Jan 28th, 2025
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Do I have to be, do I have to, if this legislation passes, must have Have to, if this legislation passes
- constitutional infirmities, strike down the whole piece of legislation?
- What I'm asking you is, yes, you gave this legislative grace in 2014.
- So when I read a piece of legislation, sometimes— ...in other places.
- So when I read a piece of legislation, sometimes I think in nefarious ways.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then read an amended joint proclamation expanding the special session call to include financial penalties for government officials, criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. No committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk before the chamber moved to the special order calendar.
The main item was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill, along with a late-filed strike-all amendment by Senator Gruters. Gruters said the amendment aligned terminology with federal law, increased penalties for crimes by unauthorized aliens, added transnational crime organizations to gang definitions, required stronger participation in the federal 287(g) program, created financial penalties for noncompliance, offered a $1,000 bonus for officers assisting ICE in large operations, directed more information-sharing with federal agencies, and barred DHSMV from issuing licenses or IDs to unauthorized aliens. He framed the bill as supporting President Trump’s immigration agenda and focusing on criminal illegal aliens rather than street-level enforcement.
A long question-and-answer period followed, with Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Roscoe, Berman, and others pressing the sponsor on scope, legality, costs, and implementation. Questions focused on whether the bill would require participation beyond jails and detention centers, whether schools or churches could be affected, liability and immunity for local agencies, the size and purpose of the proposed appropriations, and the impact on undocumented students receiving in-state tuition waivers. Gruters and Senator Fine said the 287(g) provisions were intended to apply to jails and detention facilities, that green-card holders and lawful residents would not be affected, and that the tuition waiver repeal would end discounted tuition for students in the country illegally while not affecting their ability to attend. Fine also defended the mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses committed by illegal immigrants, acknowledging it would likely be challenged in court but arguing the bill was designed to test and advance the policy. No final vote or other action on the bill is reflected in the excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor (3-19-26)
Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 392 is a pretty common-sense piece of procurement legislation that will just align us with
- So I'm here today to present our latest workforce investment legislation.
- We listened to our communities across the Commonwealth, and this legislation is our targeted response
- was brought before the legislation was brought before the Workforce<00:05:05.199><c> Attraction</c><
- And this legislation for out-of-state recruitment is designed to empower local leaders by providing a
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- , Rules and Administration, report that we have read and approved the House Journal of the 37th legislative
- 723, by the Health and Welfare Committee, is an act relating to child care licensing, providing legislative
- number 723 by Health and Welfare Committee, an act relating to child care licensing, providing legislative
- Housewell number 724 by Health and Welfare Committee and Act relating to foster care, providing legislative
- Housewell number 724 by Health and Welfare Committee and Act Relating to Foster Care, providing legislative
Summary:
The House convened with 61 members present, approved the previous journal, and received several messages and committee reports. Senate Joint Memorial 109 was filed for first reading, while House Joint Memorials 9 and 11 were returned from the Senate for enrolling. Committee reports advanced a number of measures, including House Bills 543, 552, 556, 602, 654, 652, 549, and 673, along with House Joint Memorial 15 and House Resolution 24, to various committees or calendars.
The House also introduced several new bills and a joint resolution. These included bills on child care licensing and residential care oversight, foster care safety, administration services to cities, election procedures, sex crimes/video voyeurism, and education code corrections, along with House Joint Resolution 10 proposing a constitutional amendment on state-owned land. House Concurrent Resolution 29, concerning recognition of the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations, was referred for printing. House Concurrent Resolution 28, House Bills 620, 532, 629, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 were filed for third reading.
On third reading, the House passed House Bill 501, which requires petition signature gatherers to display their names and, if paid, disclose who is paying them; House Bill 558, codifying protection of foster youth survivor benefits; House Bill 608, clarifying school district facility fund and repayment provisions; and House Bill 636, allowing school district facility funds to be used for lease-purchase arrangements. Each passed by voice or recorded vote and was sent to the Senate. House Resolution 21 and House Resolution 22, both related to administrative rules, also passed by voice vote.
The House enrolled House Joint Memorials 9 and 11, heard announcements and visitor introductions, and then adjourned by motion until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 17th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
- As Chair of the California Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, I rise to present
- As Chair of the California Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, I rise to present
- I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus to wish everyone a Gong He Fa Cai in
- Fellow Assembly Members, on behalf of the Latino Legislative Caucus, I rise today in support of House
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislation is before you, committee. Mr. Chairman. Senator Zito. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- We'd ask you to introduce yourself and your legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, committee.
- Doug O'Conniewicz, state senator from Legislative District 3.
- Doug O'Connowitz, state senator from Legislative District 3.
- This legislation deals with Thank you.
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee approved the February 4, 2026 minutes and then heard several Senate RS print requests. Senator Blaylock presented RS 33277C1 to create the Idaho High Need Student Fund to help districts cover extraordinary special education costs above $30,000 per student, with reimbursement caps, documentation requirements, and annual reporting; the committee voted to print it. Senator Cole presented RS 33271, the PROM Act, to let homeschooled students in grades 8-12 buy a social access pass to participate in public school social events such as dances, fairs, and cultural activities without enrolling; it was also sent to print. Senator O'Conniewicz presented RS 33334 concerning foreign national students on athletic teams at higher education institutions, arguing it could help retain graduates in Idaho; the committee voted to print it. Senator Semmelroth presented RS 33335, a revised code-cleanup bill restoring specialty diploma provisions that had been inadvertently removed; it too was printed.
The committee then heard a presentation from Sam Abrams, superintendent of Hayden Canyon Charter, on broader education reform ideas. He argued that Idaho should move away from seat-time-based schooling toward mastery-based learning, with more individualized pacing, better accountability for public dollars, and measures beyond test scores, including student happiness and demonstrated learning. He described his experience in Qatar and at other schools as evidence that individualized, mastery-based systems can improve outcomes. Members responded with comments about the flexibility of charter schools versus traditional public schools and shared examples of students who learn differently but are not well served by conventional grading and attendance systems. No formal action was taken on Abrams' presentation, and the committee adjourned after his remarks.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislation is before you, committee. Mr. Chairman. Senator Zito. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- We'd ask you to introduce yourself and your legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, committee.
- Doug O'Connowitz, state senator from Legislative District 3.
- Doug O'Connowitz, state senator from Legislative District 3.
- This legislation deals with Thank you.
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee approved the February 4, 2026 minutes and then heard several Senate RS measures, all of which were moved to print. Senator Blaylock presented RS 33277C1 to create the Idaho High Need Student Fund, which would reimburse districts for extraordinary special education costs above $30,000 per student annually, with caps, documentation requirements, and annual reporting. Senator Cole presented RS 33271, the PROM Act, to let homeschooled students in grades 8-12 buy a social access pass to participate in public school dances, fairs, and cultural events without enrolling, with families paying a $25 annual fee plus event charges. Senator O’Conniewicz presented RS 33334 regarding foreign national students on college athletic teams, describing it as a way to balance athletics with retaining graduates who could stay and work in Idaho. Senator Semmelroth presented RS 33335, a revised code-cleanup bill that restores specialty diploma provisions after an earlier version mistakenly included them for repeal. Each of these RS measures received a motion and unanimous support to be printed.
The committee also heard an informational presentation from Sam Abrams, superintendent of Hayden Canyon Charter, who argued that Idaho’s education system is too focused on seat time, compliance, and standardized testing rather than mastery and individualized learning. He urged the committee to consider shifting toward competency-based progression, greater accountability for student well-being and demonstrated learning, and more flexible reporting models. Abrams used examples from his work in Qatar and from a traditional gradebook to argue that students should advance by showing mastery rather than by time spent in class. Committee members responded with comments about the rigidity of traditional public schools, the flexibility of charter schools, and the need for options that fit different students, but no formal action was taken on the presentation.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Good afternoon, Senator Tim Dunn from Legislative District 25, which is Yuma up to the West...
- We'll start with the legislative research analyst, Mason Holler. Mr. Holler? Hello, members.
- This is my first legislative session as an intern and I go to ASU studying transport studies.
- For all of these reasons, I urge you to vote in favor of this legislation to move forward.
- For all of these reasons, I urge you to vote in favor of this legislation to move forward.
Bills:
SB1009
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 12th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
- In 2014, Monica began her legislative career by joining the office of Assemblymember Tom Amiano.
- This is a pivotal point for us as legislators, and for me as your legislator, I see the pain.
- We have to continue to use our responsibilities as legislators to protect our children.
- And as we honor these young lives, as legislators to protect our children.
Summary:
The Assembly met in session after a quorum call, with the clerk calling the roll and a quorum eventually declared present. The day began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by routine procedural actions: the previous day’s journal was dispensed with, committee reports were deemed read, and several motions were approved, including unanimous consent to allow specified members to speak on adjournments in memory and to let Assemblymember Ortega have guests in the rear of the chamber. The body also gave one-day notice to remove SB 25 from the inactive file.
On the daily file, Assembly Bill 673 was read with amendments and the amendments were deemed adopted. Concurrent items 2 and 3, Governor’s vetoes in items 4 through 77, reconsideration items 79 through 81, and third-reading items 82 through 84 were passed and retained or continued as noted. No substantive floor debate occurred on legislation during the session, which was described as a very short session.
Most of the meeting was devoted to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Members honored Monica Lynn Martinez Hayes, a Capitol scheduler and artist; Edwin Silva Brazil, a dairyman and community leader; Grand Master Deng Huiduk, a martial arts instructor and mentor; victims of a Stockton shooting, including four young people; and the victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Several members spoke about the fire victims by name and emphasized recovery, resilience, and the need to support affected communities. A moment of silence was observed, the names were ordered printed in the journal, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Vet. and Military Affairs - Room 409, 8 January, 2026; 10:30 A.M.
Transcript Highlights:
- And this bill, this legislation, would allow us to create a fund that would pay for the Tricare premiums
- Tricare is the military insurance program, and this legislation would basically repay those members who
- It's a TAGS priority this year, this legislative cycle, and so again this would really help take care
- I have to pay for Tricare on the front end, and the same thing would apply if the legislation were to
- cycle and so um again this legislative cycle and so um again this uh<00:02:36.000><c> this</c><00:02
Summary:
The committee took up Senate Bill 2018, which would create a state-funded reimbursement program to pay Tricare premiums for eligible Mississippi National Guard members. The sponsor explained the bill is intended to improve quality of life, recruiting, and retention, especially for part-time Guardsmen who lack other medical coverage. General Chris Thomas testified that the proposal is a major priority for the Guard and would help address a significant gap in insurance coverage among soldiers and airmen.
Members asked how the reimbursement would work, when payments would be made, and whether the benefit would cover the full premium. Thomas said the mechanics were still being worked out, but the intent was to reimburse members fully for their monthly premium, likely through some recurring reimbursement process. He clarified the bill is aimed at traditional part-time Guard members, not full-time AGR or federal technicians who already have medical coverage.
Senators also asked whether the benefit would extend to families. Thomas said the current version covers only the service member, though a family plan option exists and the committee discussed the possibility of pursuing that later if the numbers work. The sponsor noted an appropriation bill would be needed to fund the program, with a fiscal note estimated at $4.6 million if all eligible members participated, though that amount would likely be lower because some already have insurance. The committee then adopted a do-pass motion, approved the bill, and reported it out.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
SB 2374 Conference Committee Apr 16th, 2025 at 08:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- concern, I think it was brought up to the commissioner as, hey, we're not even done with the 69th Legislative
- Assembly, but let's start talking about potential legislation for the 70th.
- And then we saw this as an avenue for maybe... ...potential legislation for the 70th and then we saw
- If there was other non-insurance related legislation that was done in the 68th Legislative Assembly,
- I'm not aware... ...to legislation that was done in the 68th Legislative Assembly.
Summary:
The conference committee on Senate Bill 2374 discussed proposed amendments to the insurance rebating provisions and a new study on towing and recovery issues. Deputy Insurance Commissioner John Arnold explained that, after working with industry representatives, the compromise was to remove the large commercial rebating exemption language and keep the rest of the bill intact, while also clarifying that federal crop insurance remains subject to the state’s rebating laws. Members asked several questions about how the large commercial risk definition would work, how the rules would apply to nonresident producers and border-area farm policies, and whether the changes would affect long-standing industry practices.
The committee also considered Commissioner Godfrey’s request for a study on who pays to remove vehicles from the roadside when the owner has liability-only coverage, especially in cases involving totaled or abandoned vehicles. Arnold said the issue has been raised by Highway Patrol and towing interests and that the study language was intended to examine possible solutions for the next legislative session. Some members expressed concern about shifting costs to the insurance industry, but others supported the study as a way to gain clarity.
The committee adopted the amendment package, including the towing study language, by a 6-0 roll call vote. It then passed Senate Bill 2374 as amended by another 6-0 vote. The committee noted that the bill would need floor carriers on both chambers, with Representative Johnson and Senator Klein indicating they would carry it.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- We seek to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process.
- This is the LGBTQ Legislative Caucus Chair.
- This legislation is particularly critical for LGBTQ+ students.
- And we look forward to reaching a point where we can fully support this legislation together.
- This legislation isn't symbolic. It's not. It's meaningful.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
PUBLIC HEALTH WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE-SENATE AND HOUSE Jun 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Whether we want to go word for word on what this is, you know, that'll be up to other legislators in
- We will follow legislative mandates. Yes, sir.
- And so when we have a legislative mandate, we have a way to go and ask for that funding.
- This next rule is, again, something that was passed in the 2025 legislative session.
- Item L is the adverse decisions rule, also a piece of legislation passed in 2025.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- No one has suggested any legislation.
- And the legislation against reproductive health care clinics in just this biennium was a dozen.
- Um but this Senate has very specifically not taken proactive steps for other pieces of legislation.
- No one has suggested any legislation.
- No one has suggested any legislation.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Aging and Independence May 11th, 2026
Joint Committee on Aging and Independence
Transcript Highlights:
- The proposed legislation provides a reliable funding mechanism which allows Aging and Independence to
- If enacted, the proposed legislation establishes a dedicated and sustainable funding mechanism to pay
- Both these provisions in the current legislation.
- And so those are the three areas we would like to see included in this legislation.
- Is the proposed legislation adequate, or do you think you can deal with the other proposed Legislation
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence heard testimony on Senate 3057/House 5376, a bill to create an Assisted Living Residence Trust Fund and implement recommendations from the Assisted Living Residence Commission. Supporters, including AARP and the state long-term care ombudsman, backed the trust fund for certification staffing, compliance reviews, investigations, ombudsman services, public reporting, and appeals. The assisted living industry, represented by MassALA, supported the affordability task force and certified medication aides, but asked for amendments to expand career paths and to remove or limit fines as a funding source, arguing fines should be capped and tied to health or safety risks. The ombudsman emphasized the need for more staffing and resources, noting the current caseload and travel burden across the state.
The committee also took testimony on Senate 3056/House 5243 concerning medication administration in rest homes. Rest home operators, MARCH, and LeadingAge Massachusetts opposed proposed Department of Public Health changes that would replace the long-standing responsible person model with a MAP-based framework or require more licensed nursing staff. They argued the current model has been used for decades, is safe and affordable, and is better suited to rest homes than MAP, which they said was designed for different settings. They urged the committee to preserve responsible person medication administration while improving training and oversight, and several witnesses asked for a task force or substitute language to study best practices rather than impose immediate regulatory changes.
Committee members asked questions about the history of the responsible person model, how medication administration works in practice, and whether other states use similar systems. Chair Stanley said the committee was still reviewing building code-related recommendations for assisted living and noted that those issues may require more time. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after testimony concluded.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Special Session 2026 May 8th, 2026
Alabama House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, I move that the reading of the journal at length for the fourth legislative day be dispensed
- Speaker, I move that the reading of the journal at length for the fourth legislative day be dispensed
- And if you look at this piece of legislation, you said the parties will go behind closed doors.
- committee guidelines for the legislative state board of education and the ...
- In 2011, 2012, Hofeller wrote that the state's reapportionment committee guidelines for the legislative
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- What we did when we passed the legislation was we put a three-year sunset.
- What this legislation does is it creates a permissive framework that if other institutions wanted to
- That's the benefit to talking prior to committee about legislation.
- This legislation really is aligned to what the U.S.
- But this legislation does not specify a new accreditor or require an institution to change.
Summary:
The House Education Committee met on May 6 and first welcomed LSU President Wade Roos and Chancellor Jim Dalton, who outlined LSU’s goals of becoming an elite, accessible flagship university, increasing research expenditures, improving student recruitment and retention, and expanding pathways that keep Louisiana students in-state. Members praised the new leadership and LSU’s workforce and research direction, and a representative from LSU enrollment reported gains in TOPS Excellence commitments for the coming fall.
The committee then advanced several education bills. SB 105 by Sen. Kathy, which reinstates TOPS Tech eligibility for honorably discharged veterans, was reported favorably without objection. SB 374, also by Sen. Kathy, creates a uniform framework for college economic development districts; members adopted an amendment adding a legislator to each district board, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 304 by Sen. Edmonds, which authorizes the Board of Regents to establish a list of eligible accreditors and allows institutions to seek different accreditors, was reported favorably. SB 522 by Sen. Edmonds, allowing vocational and technical charter schools to apply directly to BESE as Type 2 charters with Commerce and Industry support, drew discussion about whether the authority should extend to public schools as well; it ultimately passed 9-1.
The committee also approved SB 290 by Sen. Abraham, a cleanup bill requiring school system concurrence before student exit-code changes in the data system, and HCR 81 by Rep. Freiberg, which asks the Department of Education to study options for districts facing declining enrollment and related financial pressures. HCR 175 by Rep. Larvadain, a study resolution on possible TOPS Tech changes, was deferred by the author because it overlapped with another measure. Several members also used personal privilege to welcome local mayors and community guests to the committee room.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Health and Human Resources Committee in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 01:10 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, I'm very grateful for this legislation.
- It's a great piece of legislation.
- I think it's a really good piece of legislation.
- This is really an important piece of legislation.
- So that's why the legislation is before you.
Summary:
The committee met, approved the March 5, 2026 minutes, and then took up several health- and human-services-related bills. House Bill 5086, concerning peer support programs for covered caregivers, was explained as creating training and testimonial privilege protections; the committee adopted an amendment clarifying that boards may still require participation in a board-designated professional health program, and then reported the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass. House Bill 5004, an educational bill on PANS and PANDAS, was supported by the sponsor, who described his family’s experience and the importance of earlier diagnosis; it was reported to the Senate without amendment. House Bill 5327, which would require the Department of Human Services to create an ALS services program, also received supportive testimony from the sponsor and members, but the transcript reflects the bill being reported as House Bill 537; it was moved forward without amendment.
The committee then considered House Bill 5096, which would remove personal care and intellectual/developmental disability waiver services from certificate-of-need review. The sponsor argued the change would reduce regulatory burden and expand access, while a county aging-program director testified that certificate-of-need revenues help fund senior meals and services and that eliminating the requirement would reduce important support for aging providers. After a division vote, the motion to report the bill failed 3-9. House Bill 4695, allowing PEIA patients to switch to an alternative medically appropriate covered treatment without new prior authorization if it costs no more than the original treatment, was explained as carrying an estimated $13 million annual cost to PEIA and was reported to the Senate.
The committee also advanced House Bill 5582, enacting the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, after discussion of a committee amendment removing a new-background-check-at-initial-licensure provision; the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported. Another House Bill 5582, concerning the TANF drug screening program, was described as removing the sunset date and allowing oral fluid testing in addition to urine samples; it too was reported. Finally, House Bill 5466 renamed the batterer intervention program as an abuse intervention program and allowed live synchronous virtual delivery with an in-person option; the sponsor said the change would expand access statewide, and the bill was reported to the Senate. The committee then adjourned.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- But, okay, back on this Medicaid trust fund, we passed this legislation to try to at least keep a grasp
- , Medicaid trust fund, we passed this legislation to try to at least keep a grasp of where we were.
- Pieces of legislation that you have not processed the rules for yet are still lingering out there, and
- , which we have done, you know, legislatively, particularly when it comes to labor. ...on legislatively
- , which we have done, you know, legislatively, particularly when it comes to labor and delivery.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Emerging Issues Feb 9th, 2026
Emerging Issues and Professional Registration
Transcript Highlights:
- five minutes and the witnesses two minutes, but the members will have 10 minutes per bill, and my legislative
- how... ...legislation is about making an existing program even better and more impactful by aligning
- It has just not been adjusted since this bipartisan legislation was passed.
- This committee heard this legislation before.
- This committee heard this legislation before.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 3037, which would allow certain Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Account tax credits, beginning in 2028, to be carried back to the immediately prior tax year. Representative Allen said the bill was a technical timing change that would not alter the credit amount, cap, refundability, transferability, or other safeguards. Supporters, including the American Federation for Children and a representative of the scholarship organization, said the change would help donors better match contributions to their actual tax liability and could increase participation. One member raised concern about the fiscal impact on education funding, noting the Department of Revenue’s estimate of reduced revenue, while the sponsor said the delayed start date was intended to give the state time to plan.
The committee then heard House Bill 2830, which would increase the recorder fee that funds the Missouri Housing Trust Fund from $3 to $9 per real estate document. Representative Collins said the increase would strengthen funding for affordable housing, rental assistance, and homeless prevention. Supporters from Empower Missouri, Love Columbia, Peter and Paul Community Services, and Missouri’s Coalition of Recovery Support Providers testified that the fund is under-resourced, with many requests going unmet and some housing programs unable to support new construction or rehabilitation projects. They described local housing shortages, homelessness, and the need for more capital funding, arguing the fee increase would help meet demand without using general revenue. No opposition testimony was presented.
Finally, the committee took up House Bills 1778 and 2760, both aimed at protecting religious exercise during emergencies. The sponsors said the bills were prompted by COVID-era restrictions on churches and would prevent government orders from limiting worship services, while still allowing compliance with building and fire codes and excluding violence or harm. Members debated whether the bills would create a special exemption for houses of worship and whether they could interfere with public health responses to future outbreaks. A Baptist minister testified in opposition, arguing that religious gatherings should not receive special treatment and that restrictions should apply consistently to all mass gatherings. The hearing ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public testimony.